SIR ALEXANDER C. MACKENZIE - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 10/02/1891 - HFSID 145582

ALEXANDER CAMPBELL MacKENZIE
MacKenzie handwrote, signed and dated this letter to a Mr. Munday in 1891. In it, he discusses how it would be impossible to form a Sunday student concert.
Autograph letter signed "A. C. MacKenzie" and, in postscript, "A. C. M.". 3 pages,4½x7, 1 sheet folded, front and verso, inscribed with "15,Regent Park Road,/N.W.". Mounted to 5x7½ matte of heavy off-white paper. Oct. 2, 1891. Addressed to "Mr. Munday". In full: "Dear Mr. Munday, It is quite impossible for me to give you a reply to your question respecting an R.A.M. Sunday evening at the Lyric: simply for this reason viz: that I could not undertake [illegible] a thing without the sanction of my committee. And I would confess that I do not think that they would fall in with your suggestion. We have no legislatory powers over our students on Sundays and as our orchestra is to a considerable extent 'manned' by young [illegible] great difficulties would present themselves. Many parents would readily object; of that I am quite certain. I write as Cuythe, because I wish your committee to understand clearly that their difficulties, which are serious ones to me, will inevitably present themselves. I am quite in favour of Sunday music personally - Whether I would [illegible] right in using my School-powers for that object, [illegible] in the evening too, is quite another question. The utmost I could do would be to suggest to [illegible] students who are at a presentable stage of advancement and who desire to show themselves to make up a representation team 'from the R.C.M. (unofficially)' to combine together for that purpose. Such a thing is not impossible at all. But it requires some time to arrange; and at this time when we are in the turmoil of re-opening I cannot possible tackle the subject, for some weeks yet. Therefore a date is out of the question at present. I am Birmingham Festival bound tomorrow morning & I will not be back until the end of the week. In haste Very faithfully yours". Postscripted: "P.S. I trust that I have not earned the reputation of being 'dense'. But I cannot understand your mention of having resumed my seat 'on the Musical & Dramatic Committee'. I was asked to join the principal Committee when the club started. I resigned my seat [illegible] when the proposed re-election took place, or when the proceeding was projected. But I am not aware than I ever was a member of a 'Musical or Dramatics' Committee. How therefore can I return to a seat which I never sat upon?" MacKenzie (1847-1935, born in Edinburgh, Scotland) was a Scottish composer. He's best known for his oratorios and stage works, including the operas Columba (1883), The Troubador (1886), His Majesty (1897), The Cricket on the Hearth (1914) and The Eve of St. John. Educated at the Saunderhausen Conservatory, MacKenzie spent the first 14 years of his professional career as a violinist, teacher and choir conductor, then moved to Florence from 1879 to 1888 to concentrate on composing. Lightly toned and creased. Random ink stains. Folded once and unfolded. Otherwise in fine condition.